Willy McGregor said he can still hear the sweet sounds of Vera Lynn and the Andrew Sisters performing for thousands of Canadian troops over in England during the Second World War almost 70 years ago.
As a young Canadian soldier, McGregor said he has never forgotten how important it was to able to get away from the horrors of war by being entertained by America's most popular singers and performing groups when he was away from the front lines.
So when McGregor found out a modern-day travelling troupe called Sgt. Wilson's Army Show was passing through Alberta, he didn't hesitate to book a show for Bonnyville.
McGregor, the longtime president of the Bonnyville Seniors' Drop-In Centre and current vice-chair of the Bonnyville Seniors' Society, has booked Sgt. Wilson's Army Show to perform one night only in Bonnyville on Monday, Oct. 31 at the drop-in centre.
“The Dutch government used to host Canadians who were involved in the war during annual Victory Day celebrations to celebrate the end of the Second World War and I went over to Holland on three occasions,” said McGregor. “The gentleman responsible for this show somehow found out about me and contacted me recently and told me they were putting on shows in Calgary and Edmonton and had room for one more show somewhere in Alberta.
“I immediately jumped at it because I know how many seniors in this community fought in the war and would really appreciate a show like this coming to town.”
Sgt. Wilson's Army Show features an evening of sentimental music from the 1940s and 1950s, featuring the sweet sounds of Glenn Miller, Andrew Sisters, Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney, Frankie Lane, Vera Lynn and many others.
“This is a show which comes out of Holland and everything is put together over there, but they travel the world and are doing a cross-Canada tour,” said McGregor. “They will be performing all across the country, but they only have the three shows in Alberta and I'm very happy to be bringing them here.”
The only date available was Halloween night, he said.
McGregor said he can still remember the excitement in the air when top entertainers would perform for the troops during war time.
“It got your mind off the war if only for one night,” he said.
Many seniors he's talked to can't wait for the performance, he said.
“This is all about taking a trip down memory lane,” he said. “This music meant a lot to people of my generation and it should be great to hear it again all these years later.”
Tickets for the show went on sale recently and are going fast. McGregor said the Seniors' Drop-in Centre hall can hold an audience of 250 to 300 people and he expects a sold-out show.
Tickets are $25 and include a corn roast dinner, which will be cooked by members of the Bonnvyille Seniors' Society.
Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with dinner being served at 5:30 and the show set to begin at 7:30.
“This is something we likely won't see in Bonnyville again and I'm really looking forward to it,” said McGregor. “I'm sure there are going to be a lot of smiles and a lot of people singing along. It should be a great night.”
Tickets are on sale at the Seniors' Drop-in Centre at 780-826-3619 or by calling McGregor at 780-826-5367.
